GRENEWAY School claimed a superb double, winning both basketball and football North Herts titles. They beat Hitchin Boys 57-36 to win their 13th under-12 basketball championship in 16 years, and also took the North Herts Schools FA under-11 tournament. Gr

GRENEWAY School claimed a superb double, winning both basketball and football North Herts titles.

They beat Hitchin Boys 57-36 to win their 13th under-12 basketball championship in 16 years, and also took the North Herts Schools FA under-11 tournament.

Greneway's basketball triumph, at St Christopher School in Letchworth, was an entertaining final, involving the two best sides in the district.

They took the early initiative, with the Greneway offence and defence controlling the play and ended the first period 22-8 in front.

Greneway made changes in the second period, and despite the shift, they continued to dominate play, with the Hitchin side weathering the storm bravely.

However, at the end of the quarter Greneway were cruising at 36-16.

The third quarter saw a rally from Hitchin Boys as they looked to close the gap and in doing so they scored eight unanswered points.

However, Greneway responded positively, and ended the period leading 44-22.

The final quarter saw a number of changes, and it was Greneway's that proved the more effective, in another impressive passage of play.

Their opponents continued to press forward but the Greneway offence was just too strong, and they greeted the buzzer with an sparkling 57-36 scoreline and with it a deserved 13th title.

Coach Steve Darlow said: "The individual skills of the Greneway players allied to their work for one another was as good as you will see at such a young age."

Guy Curtis top scored for Greneway with 16 points, while Callum Turner took 10 offensive rebounds and nine defensive rebounds, as well as 14 points.

Captain Fergus Campbell scored eight points, with Megan Kaba and George Sames making four steals each.

Luke Bailey made seven defensive rebounds, with vice captain Eleanor Bishop and Alex Brain making two and four respectively.

Joe Walsh made seven defensive and offensive rebounds, while Joe Carpenter took nine offensive rebounds and six defensive rebounds. Anthony Lane made two assists, as did Amy Cooper who also scored four points.

IN the football tournament Greneway were up against Roysia, St Mary's, and Haslingfield Schools, in a skilful and committed competition, with a number of well-taken goals and talented youngsters on show.

Greneway first saw off St Mary's in a tight 1-0 win, with Richard Jonas' strike enough to earn the victory, while Roysia and Haslingfield could manage only a 0-0 draw.

In their second match, Greneway created a number of early chances, but could find no way past the excellent Haslingfield keeper.

However, he was finally beaten with Cemal Ramadan breaking the deadlock, and Justin Leavers adding a second with a brilliant right-footed volley.

In the other game hosts Roysia were narrowly edged out by the only goal by St Mary's.

The third and final round of matches saw St Mary's and Haslingfield battle out a hard-fought 2-2 draw, as Greneway produced some dazzling football to see off Roysia with an impressive 4-1 victory.

Greneway skipper Ramadan grabbed a deserved hat-trick, with Leavers notching his second of the tournament with a confident finish.

Greneway will now represent North Herts in the County Wix Trophy Finals, which will be held at Parmiters School in Watford in April.

Greneway squad: Ben Reddan, Sam Huttlestone, Jordan Campbell, Stephen Thake, Cemal Ramadan, Jamie Stimson, Reece King, Mitchell Harness, Jack Freeman, Matt Moore, Justin Leavers, Richard Jonas.